A ceremony remembering the heroism displayed by a fallen First World War hero has taken place in Kensington.

Lieutenant Humphrey Osbaldston Brooke Firman was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross after he lost his life trying to defend a besieged town in Iraq on April 24 1916.

One hundred years later on Monday April 25, a day after the centenary anniversary of his death, a paving stone was placed outside South Kensington Tube station to mark his heroism and gallantry.

Mr Firman was born in Kensington on November 24 1886 and was a lieutenant in the Royal Navy during the conflict.

He was killed in action after volunteering to lead the crew of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve SS Julnar on what was widely believed to be a suicide mission to get 270 tons of supplies through to forces besieged in Kut-el-Amara, in present day Iraq.

He lost his life, along with his assistant Lieutenant-Commander C H Cowley, while the remainder of the crew, including five wounded, were captured as prisoners of war.

A paving stone is unveiled at South Kensington Tube station to mark the life of Lieutenant Humphrey Osbaldston Brooke Firman, who was posthumously awarded the VC for an act of heroism which cost him his life 100 years ago in WW1

Borough mayor Robert Freeman, who took part in the ceremony, had led the appeals for people to attend. He said afterwards: “I felt privileged to be present at this dedication to a brave officer.

“Although it is now 100 years since Lieutenant Firman’s death it is fitting that his heroic deeds should be remembered in the place of his birth.

“I was especially pleased to see pupils from the nearby Our Lady of Victories School come to pay their respects and would also like to thank those members of the public who stopped and took the time to commemorate a very brave man.”